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ISSN 2454-5899
Abstract
Spirituality is a systemic practice and mostly experience of a religion. This is the most powerful,
comprehensive and profound experience. The purpose of thisstudy is to investigate importance and
the purpose of spirituality in world religion? And how much religious scriptures emphasized upon
their followersto attain it? Most of the religious sacred texts have described thathuman being as a
spiritual being.The physical domain needs personal hygiene too because it is pre-requisite for
spirituality. Some purposeful physical activities of self-controlhelp to attain high level of spirituality.
Our five senses and apparent bodyneed to be bounded by some set rules and religious laws.
Spirituality can be achieved by some physical and mental training and control.This is the most
prominent feature in world religion andeven persuaded to be practiced at particular sacred places.
Methodology of this research study is descriptive. This research study has foundthat purpose of
spirituality in world religion is to be closer to the Lord. Although the tools and methodologies to
achieve spiritualityin world religions’ are different but the purpose is almost same as given in
theirprescribed religious literature.
Keywords
Spirituality,Scripture,Religions, Physical, Sacred Text
1.Introduction
2. Literature Review
Spirituality is a mostly used term especiallyin contemporary religions of the world.
Almost all worldly religions are familiar to the term, its meanings and purpose.“Spirituality is
increasingly being recognized as a real phenomenon and not merely a ‘mental illusion”. (Rose,
2001)4In religious philosophy the existence is a realitydistinct from matter. This existence- may
be call as mind, or spirit. Some believes that mind or spirit is the only realitythat existseven after
the death of a person.Itis a kind of metaphysics.
Mostly the“spirituality” deals in collective form rather than individual. Mostly religious
practices and rituals have been performed to attain spirituality withindividuals as well as in
mutual grouped.A man cannot reach the level of humanity without pure Soul. It is also thought
that a man without soulis like an empty shell.Spirituality concerns with characterized particular
believe and practice. This is a totally unified approach and the core concept is related to personal
holiness.
According to Swami Vivekananda (1863–1902) “Our life-blood is spirituality. If it is
right everything is right. The political, social, any other material defects even the poverty would
be cured, if that blood is pure.”(Vivekananda, 3/288)5 it is also said that spirituality is directly
related to soul. According to Hindu religious scriptures, soul is eternal; it can never be ended or
finished. It penetrates from one to another being as the result of their good or bad deeds.To make
our self-pure, the repentance, abstinence (reluctance of the self towards the world), Patience,
thankfulness and sincerity are all tools toward the spirituality.
The concept of spirituality deals with values,forgiveness, justice, hope & faith in humanity
and trust. It is a continuous process throughout a human life.
The common thing is the concept of God or a Mighty Power to believe in but call by
different names.
Both believe in that super- natural one had power that wedon’t have.
Both are related to cognitive phenomena.
Both have relationship either emotion or affection.
Both desire to have a relationship of the high level with the particular power.
Both connect with this higher power with fear and trembling.
Both relate with family background and some time got in inheritance genetically.
Bothreligion and spirituality have rituals likemeditation and yoga sessions.
Bothhave fear if not to be succeeded, as a result deserveshell-fireetc.
“if a man sows the seed of goodness and virtue, the Lord will reverseit and add much
more in his integrity, dignity”. (Corinthians)
We granted them senses to use, but they don’t utilize their senses;
eyes and ears etc. So they are like non-human,they are misguided
In Hinduism, purification of the senses is a prerequisite for the purification of mind and
soul. As mentioned in Hinduscripture:He can seewisely, only with the eyes of “wisdom”. In
Hinduism,Sensual and ceremoniallycleansing process is a symbolized as ability to receive super
natural powers.
In Buddhism’righteousness and high level morality is required to approach the demanded
spirituality level by Buddha. If a follower of Buddha wants to reach the final destination of
‘Truth’, he must go through the levels of purity (inner-outer) set by Buddha.
you could not see the prestige and the potential, of truthfulness”(Tripitaka).
world view and Dana (generosity, giving, charity) has always been starting practice for
accumulating(punaya), the lifelong measures of spiritual advancement.(Tyagi2006)6
The Christian spirituality system is concerned with inwards purification rather than
outwards.Christianity defines what defiles a person. Within and out of a person’s heart, those are
evil thoughts, greed, sexual immorality, deceit, theft, murder, cheat, malice, slander,lewdness,
envy, arrogance, adultery and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person. As
bible teachings, purify your heartand your senses; eyeto be closer to the Lord. (Mathew 5:8,
Luke 11:34-35) So bible describes;
“Atrue follower prays to his Lord; ask for a clean heart without all
worldly filths so that it glows and shines like snow”. (Psalm 51:7, 10).
To attain the highest level of spirituality in the Christianity, the primitive church had
been practiced some rites and rituals as the rite of baptism(1 Peter 3:21); the renewal of a former
undefiled state, confession in front of priest. (Mark 1:44, 1 John 1:9)Some other rituals also
practiced as the preparation process to achieve high of spirituality at different occasions as a
death, and a new birth and transfer from generation to generation.
In Islam, there are five pillars to be practice as the foundational rituals. The Profession of
Faith, or Testimony of Faith is (Shahada); Shahada is the most foundational expression of
Islamic. It is confession to Allah that “There is no God but Allah (SWT) and Muhammad (PBUH),
is his prophet.” This confession is not sufficient in verbal but actual confession is the confession
of heart. 2nd obligatory duty to a Muslim is to offer prays, five times a day. 3rd is zakat. Zakat is
to give alms to poor and needy. 4th is fasting in theholy month of Ramadan. 5th pillar of Islam is
pilgrimage to Mecca(Hajj)according to the last month zil-hajj (hijri year).
( Al-Jathiyah45:6, Al Baqara 2:3,5,43,45,153, 29:45, 15:98-99, 35:29-30, 20:14, 6:162-163,
etc,Al-Tawbah 9:60,Al Baqara 2:183, Al- Emran 3:97, Fātir,35:18)
Islam defines that Successful is he who purifies himself and all above believes and
worship practices are for the Lord. The person shows his purity and sincerity, when he practices
all ritual, which fear their Lord in secret, maintain the prayer and zikar of heart (remembrance of
the God in heart). A true devotee seeks only the pleasure of his Lord and submits his life and
death, are all for God, without a partner. Purity of the heart and soul is the core point that is
commanded by Allah to be spiritually high and to be closer to the mighty one.
After committing all practices rewards are promised by Allah to those who purified
themselves, stay forever injannah. The spirituality is for the sake ofoneself andpreparation for
their return to the God.In Islamic Mysticism four stages are mentioned of Tazkiya (Spiritual
Developmental process).
Spirituality rules were designed by Buddha, in Buddhism. So Buddha has given four truths to
find out the reasons and solutions to avoid of agony and pain, that are in pali; “Dukkha,
Samudaya, Nirhodha and Magga.”(Anandājoto Bikkhu, 2016)
The Eight Aspects, of Enlightenment are the basic rules for Buddhist practices of spiritual
purification. Mahayana Buddhists had presented the enlightenment (final teachings) of Buddha. It
is calledNirvana.
Spiritual process cannot complete without following above mentioned rules according to
Buddhism. Freedom from all worldly human desires leads to satisfaction. Serenity and
Liberation from desires causes awareness to rise.
Importance of spirituality can be seen in Sikhism as well. The teaching of Sikhism is that
the filth and impurity of body can wash and clear but the pollution of sin cannot be clean by
virtue. A true Sikh should not only take the name of the Lord verbally but also engrave it on his
soul by constantly good practices. The only thing that pleases the God is good deeds.
Not only some believes are necessary to be spiritually purify but some ritual and practices
are also very essential; a Sikh must engage himself in remembrance of God (Naam Japna)
Simran) on daily basis. One must be committed to Selfless service (Sewa) to community and
shares his wealth with the needy and poor’s (Wand ka Chakna). A sikh according to their
religious scripture, should defend his life from the evil internal forces; Attachment (Moh), Lust
(Kham), Anger (Krodh), Ego (ahankar) and Greed (Lobh)
6. Conclusions
Although all religions have their own specific believes, faiths, rituals and practices, but
they all believe in the Ultimate Reality. This is a spiritual Reality that goes beyond common
human experience. Nature has given many qualities to human being for the expression of
thoughts and ideas. Religion and spirituality leads them to the right ways. Spirituality can serve
as a force for good as well as a force for destruction. All the worldly religions serve humanity.
Humanity has the same kind of issues and problems to be entangled with. Morality for the
humanity is same, only the practices are different.
Basically spirituality as well religion plays a vital role to eliminateindividual differences
and bring them closer aims to learn more aboutspirit of truth, pure love and respect. We find
many examples in different ancient Greek, Egyptian, Indian and Arab societies. In spite of some
basic differences ofdifferent religions there are some common elements. So Spirituality is a
common factor between the world religions.
Endnotes
1
: Kocku. von .Stuckrad. “Spirituality”, (2006).In the Brill Dictionary of Religion (vol. 4, p:
1808-1809) Boston: Brill Liaden
2
: Sheldrak, P. Sheldrak, (2016) Christianity, Mysticism and Spirituality, Sociology,
Anthropology, and Psychology of Religion. e book DOI:
10.1093/acrefore/9780199340378.013.231
3
: Spirit, (1993) Brown, L. In oxford English Dictionary, UK: Oxford Clarendon Press.
4
: Rose, S. (2001) Is the term “Spirituality” a word that everyone uses, but nobody knows what
anyone means by it? Contemp. Religion. From Journal of Contemporary Religion
Volume 16, 2001 - Issue 2 193-207. Published online 02 Aug 2010.
5
: Vivekananda. Swami,(1964) Complete Works,( Vol. Ill, P: 288) India: Advaita Ashram.
6
: DarshanaTyagi (2006), Encyclopedia of Anthropology Series: Religious Anthropology (. p:
117-118) New Delhi: Anmol Publication.
7
:RabbaniW. Bakhsh. (2005). Islamic Sufism. (p:71) Lahore: Al-Faisal publisher.
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